An inviting home begins with a fresh clean feeling in the air. Clean carpeting provides an essential palette for a welcoming environment. Current products on the market can be both costly and toxic and finding ways to freshen your home and carpets does not have to cost a fortune. There is no need to use harsh chemicals that degrade carpet fibers and create toxicity in your home environment either.
Homemade cleaning products developed from inexpensive ingredients that are readily available are the smart and healthy way to go. Your can easily make cleaners that envy any top selling product, with a very little time and effort. Removing minor spots and stains can be a breeze with homemade natural recipes.
How to Begin
When removing carpet stains, begin by determining the type of stain with which you are working. General water-soluble stains (soda, alcohol, ink, paint, mud, food dyes), special water-soluble stains (coffee, tea, blood, wine, mustard) and oil-based stains (butter, oil, grease) are some of the most common. Pet stains and odors are a category unto themselves! Follow a few general rules of thumb:
• Apply a good amount of white paper towels to the area or a white towel and blot up as much liquid as possible.
• Do not rub, but blot so the liquid is absorbed into the towel rather than into the carpet.
• If you find the stain has begun to set, apply a bit of water to the area and blot some more.
Great Spot Removers
Water Soluble Stains
• Fill an empty spray bottle with 32 oz. cool water. Add ¼ tsp. white vinegar and ¼ tsp. bleach-free mild dish soap to the bottle.
• Spray the solution onto the stained carpet. Allow it to set on the carpet for about five minutes.
• Blot the stain with white paper towels or towel. Work from the outside of the stain towards the center to avoid spreading.
• Rinse the area with a towel and plain water. Blot with a clean, dry towel to remove excess water.
Special Water Soluble Stains
• Fill a bowl with 1 Tbsp. ammonia, add 1 cup cool water and mix.
• Dip a clean, white towel in the bowl and ring out to remove excess liquid.
• Dab the solution onto the stained area of the carpet and allow it to set for about five minutes. Dab with cleaning solution again until the stain has lifted. Use clean sections of the towel and rinse and wring out the often while removing the stain. Never use ammonia based cleaners on pet stains or they will re-stain.
• Blot the carpet with a clean, dry towel to remove excess moisture.
Oil-Based Stains
• Sprinkle the stain with an absorbent powder such as cornstarch or baking soda let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Vacuum up the powder from the carpet and it will remove excess oil.
• Add ¼ cup of bleach-free mild dish soap to a cup of cool water and mix.
• Dip a clean, white towel in the soapy water and wring out.
• Dab stained area with the towel and work from the outside of the stain towards the center. Use clean sections of the towel, and rinse and wring out often.
• Rinse the carpet with the towel and plain water and blot the carpet with a dry towel to remove excess moisture.
• If stain persists, Mix 2 Tbsp. ammonia with 1 cup cool water and dab ammonia solution onto the carpet with a clean, white towel. Blot the carpet until the oil stain has lifted. Rinse the carpet with a rag and plain water.
• Combine 1 cup white vinegar with 2 cups water and mix to neutralize ammonia. Apply the vinegar solution with a clean towel, blotting the affected area of the carpet. Rinse the carpet with plain water and blot with a dry rag to remove excess moisture.
At home spot cleaning your carpet can prove successful and simple, but when difficulties arise, call in the experts. At High Quality Carpet Cleaning, we have the equipment to deal with even the most stubborn stains. Contact us through our online form, which can be found at http://www.highqualitycarpet.com/contact or call us at 732.400.5255.